Meeting Lao Dao? The Game Begins…

Hearing the name "Lao Dao," Li Junsheng's spirits lifted. Was he actually in front of the infamous Lao Dao now, with a sack over his head?

"Take the sack off him," came a deep, lazy voice. Suddenly, Li Junsheng's vision cleared as the sack was removed. Before him stood a man about his age, with an air of roguishness.

"So you're Lao Dao?" Li Junsheng asked.

"That's right. What brings you to me? And how did you hear my name?" Lao Dao examined Li Junsheng closely, noting his unfamiliarity with the typical black market etiquette, making him seem both suspicious and intriguing.

Li Junsheng wasn't offended by Lao Dao's wariness. In his previous life, he'd heard Lao Dao was cautious, especially towards strangers, which is how he'd managed to survive in the black market for so long.

Smiling a bit, Li Junsheng responded with a black market code phrase. "Got a 'brick-moving' job and wondering if you're interested. As for how I know of you… Your name rings throughout the market, anyone who's been around has heard of you, haven't they?"

Lao Dao narrowed his eyes, clearly skeptical of Li Junsheng's explanation. The term 'brick-moving' was black market slang for dealing in trade. While Li Junsheng didn't seem a regular in such circles, he spoke with the market's lingo, which made Lao Dao suspicious.

"So, how many times have you been here? And how did you even find this place?"

"Me? I've heard whispers about the market for ages, but it's my first time actually making it here. Gotta say, the hospitality's pretty unique," Li Junsheng quipped, casting a playful glance at those who had bagged him and brought him here.

Through this, Li Junsheng suggested to Lao Dao that he had known about the black market for a while but had never engaged with it until now, to seek a particular favor. This angle was meant to reduce Lao Dao's wariness and invite trust.

Lao Dao, clutching the steering wheel, started to respect Li Junsheng's composure. Coming alone into such a setting and handling it so calmly was no small feat.

"What kind of bricks are you moving? And where did you get them?" Lao Dao inquired.

"From the factory. You'll recognize them as soon as you see," Li Junsheng replied, pulling out a couple of copper scrap pieces from his pocket and showing them to Lao Dao.

With just one look, Lao Dao's gaze turned sharp. "These yellow bricks again, huh? You've got guts. You know a regular player got caught recently, right?"

Li Junsheng understood immediately that Lao Dao referred to a previous middleman who had been caught, which was why Zhou had so much leftover scrap. Zhou hadn't mentioned the arrest, likely fearing Li Junsheng might report him. But equipped with memories from his previous life, Li Junsheng already knew every detail of the incident.

When Lao Dao brought it up, Li Junsheng needed to keep his history with Zhou discreet. "I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a regular factory worker. Maybe you're talking about one of our leaders. I've been feeling out of place at the factory lately, and at my age, I want to earn a bit before I leave, unlike the big bosses."

Lao Dao acknowledged this line of thinking. Leaders weren't typically moving bricks to make ends meet. Li Junsheng's work-worn clothes and weathered hands suggested he was telling the truth, matching the humble story he wove.

One of Lao Dao's men leaned in, whispering, "Boss, you think this guy's on the level? Could he be a plant?"

In light of the previous betrayal, Lao Dao's crew had been on high alert. But with Li Junsheng seeming honest, Lao Dao dismissed his man's concerns, opting to trust his instincts instead.

"Can you move my bricks, or not?" Li Junsheng pressed, eager to confirm the deal.

Lao Dao wasn't one to miss the opportunity for profit. "I can move them, but the risk's high with your type of goods, so the price will have to be lower."

Lao Dao attempted to negotiate downwards, but Li Junsheng remained unphased, asking, "So how much can you offer per kilo?"

"I can give you two and a half at most."

Li Junsheng frowned; copper scraps were fetching three twenty per kilo at the market. Lao Dao's offer was a steep cut, something he couldn't agree to outright.

Drawing out a pack of cigarettes, Li Junsheng lit one, offering another to Lao Dao. After a few puffs, he sincerely said, "Lao Dao, it's not right to short-change an honest guy. I know for a fact that it sells for three twenty here."

Lao Dao was surprised. It seemed this man had done his homework before coming. But he pressed on, "Fine, what price do you need?"

"Three twenty per kilo," Li Junsheng stated firmly.

Lao Dao chuckled, finally relenting. "You're something else, pushing such a hard bargain."

"Look, I know the risks, and you're reputed as being solid in your dealings, which is why I sought you out."

His candid explanation resonated with Lao Dao, who realized undercutting the price seemed unfair for the risk involved.

"What should I call you?"

"Just call me Old Li."

Nodding, Lao Dao seemed to reach a resolution. "Alright, Old Li, since you're coming to me with faith in my reputation, I'll take this job. But I'll have to do it for three flat. I'll be by with my guys at midnight to pick up the cargo. Be ready."